6 Ways to #GiveAnAssist on #GivingTuesday

Fund Sports and Recreation Programs for Kids at DonorsChoose.org

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. School teachers from K-12 public schools in all 50 states, including public charter schools, post classroom project requests on the site, and you can give any amount to a project that most inspires you. When a project reaches its funding goal, DonorsChoose.org ships the materials to the school. You'll get photos of the project taking place, a letter from the teacher, and insight into how every dollar was spent. Give over $50 and you'll also receive hand-written thank-you notes from the students.

Put more KIDS in the GAME by Paying for Sports Program Registration Fees

KIDS in the GAME is online platform that supports after-school sports programs and physical education in schools through individual donations. KIDS in the GAME posts support requests from schools, Parks and Recreation Departments and other reputable Youth Sports Organizations (YSOs), and all of the posted needs come from subsidized registration fees. Donors can browse requests and give any amount to the one that inspires them, locally or across the country. Once a request reaches its funding goal, KIDS in the GAME delivers the funds to the YSO or school and donors see thank you letters of appreciation or photos of their dollars at work supporting youth athletes.

CLICK HERE to review the programs and make a donation to put more KIDS in the GAME.

Support Sport for Development Programs Around the World through Global Giving

We've discussed at length how sports are used around the world as a development tool to tackle social issues. The folks at Global Giving have section of their fundraising site dedicated to SPORT where NGOs across the globe share their program needs and look to connect with donors. You can check out initiatives here in the US from Playworks, Pitch In for Baseball and Special Olympics, among others, as well as programs on the ground in Haiti, Kenya, Senegal, Thailand, Australia and Cameroon. Make a donation through Global Giving and change the world through sports.

Canada: Support Sports Programming for Underserved Communities with CanadaHelps.org

There are hundreds of nonprofit organizations that manage sports programming for underserved communities throughout Canada. Through CanadaHelps.org, you can search by Province to find organizations in your area, or check out some of links below to find a Sports program you’d like to support.

"Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievements for the achievements of the group. It enhances everybody."~ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

For those who want to give their time, there are a host of great ways to get involved with sports programs in your community as a coach or volunteer, even if you can only contribute a few hours a month. Here are some of our favorites...

Coach Across America

The good folks at Up2Us run one of the nations best Sports Based Youth Development coaching programs, Coach Across America. The program focuses on placing and training coaches with youth sports programs where they can "inspire children to be leaders and contributing members of their communities. CAA coaches understand that every program session, practice or game is a chance to positively impact a child’s future." Programs include seasonal as well as year-round team and individual sports, and coaches are provided with extensive training and skill development opportunities.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Coach Across America opportunities in your area

VolunteerMatch.org

VolunteerMatch.org is the "go-to" source online to find volunteer opportunities in local communities around the country, with over 95,000 participating nonprofits.

You'll see "Cause Areas" on the lefthand side navigation. Click on "SEE ALL CAUSE AREAS" and check the box next to "Sports and Recreation."

Then browse through the volunteer opportunities in your local area. Some are simply one-day events, while others are longer term commitments, but any of these are a great way to get into the #GivingTuesday movement and do something positive in your own backyard.

Volunteer.gov

Are you interested in fishing, boating, hiking, climbing, camping and outdoor recreation? Then your search starts at Volunteer.gov where you'll find volunteer opportunities across the country with agencies including National Parks Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Resource Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency and several others.

Volunteer Canada

Volunteer Canada is a national volunteering platform where people can find all sorts of opportunities to volunteer your skills and time. Their online Matching Tool, pairs your unique skills, interests and talents to the volunteer opportunity that you’ll find most rewarding.

"All the successful teams I've ever seen have 3 characteristics: They play unselfish, they play together and they play hard." ~ Larry Brown

So maybe money is a little tight and the commitment to coaching or volunteering just doesn't fit into your schedule, but you still want to do something to help. Microvolunteering could be the answer...

Microvolunteering is simply a way for people to lend a small amount of time - a few minutes to a few hours - helping organizations with small tasks, which can be done entirely online via any internet connected device (smartphone, tablet, netbook). From answering simple questions or participating in a quick brainstorm for ideas, many of these are one-time only gigs you can tackle when you have time (no long term commitment issues here!) and are often crowd-sourced projects so you're not going it alone. Microvolunteering is a great way to fit helping others into your schedule, because even little actions can make a big difference.

Head on over to Global Giving's Microvolunteering platform Global Giving Time and get started. Global Giving has over 100 SPORT related nonprofit projects, many of which have microvolunteering opportunities you could knock of the park for them!

"Create unselfishness as the most important team attribute." ~ Bill Russell

If you're an active runner, walker or cyclist, you've no doubt heard about, or better yet been involved with, fundraising for a cause through a race. This remains one of the most effective fundraising tools for everything ranging from health issues like Cancer, MS and Alzheimer's, to social causes including Homelessness and Education. But did you know that you don't need an upcoming race as a platform for helping a cause you care about?

Since launching in early 2012, more than 100,000 users have helped to raise over $350,000 for the partner charities, including “over $127,000 for autism, cancer, and Parkinson's research; $50,000 for wounded veterans, $50,000 to protect nature and animals, and educated over 554 girls for a year.”

Charity Miles is a founding partner of #GivingTuesday and a great way for any athlete to make their miles count for more than just themselves.

"If you meet Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball." ~ Phil Jackson

While we are here to talk about “giving back” during the holidays, we also recognize that a big part of the holidays is giving gifts to the people you care about. And we love gifts too! (just sayin… ;-) So this holiday season, we want to offer you some options to find cool sports gifts that actually do some giving back of their own.

A “Social Enterprise” is loosely defined as “an organization or venture that achieves a primary social or environmental mission using business methods.” So simply stated, these are businesses that sell a product or service with the goal to achieve something socially beneficial, greater than just financial gain. That goal can be anything in the cause space – education, health, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, animal welfare, etc. Some of these companies have a “Buy One / Give One” philosophy, where for every product purchased, they donate one to someone in need.

If you’re searching for the perfect holiday gift for the sports fan on your list, check out some of these Social Enterprises and see how your purchase can make a difference...

Alive & Kicking (Soccer)

Alive & Kicking is an African social enterprise that manufactures sports balls to provide balls for children, create jobs for adults and promote health education through sport. Based on the principle that trade will help communities in the long term, Alive & Kicking’s workshops in Kenya, Zambia and Ghana are run as not-for-profit businesses.http://www.aliveandkicking.org/shop/

One World Futbol (Soccer)

The nearly indestructible One World Futbol never needs a pump and never goes flat - even when punctured. For every One World Futbol you buy, they give a second ball to a community in need through organizations working in disadvantaged communities such as refugee camps, war zones, disaster areas and inner cities.http://www.oneworldfutbol.com

Little Feet (Soccer)

Little Feet is committed to providing children in need the opportunity to play the "Beautiful Game." For every ball you buy, Little Feet will give an additional ball to child in need. Purchasing Little Feet Apparel directly contributes to building a soccer field for a community in need.http://www.littlefeet.com

Senda (Soccer/Rugby/Netball)

Senda manufactures and sells soccer balls, uniforms and apparel that operates to “respect the people who make the products and the environment, and promote soccer as a tool to improve lives.” The company is committed to providing good working conditions and fair wages to the people making their products, and they work directly with nonprofit programs that are using soccer as a tool for development in their communities.http://www.sendaathletics.com

Janji (Running)

Through each purchase of Janji’s distinctive running apparel, a portion of proceeds funds organizations that are alleviating the worst problems related to food and water. By funding solutions and raising awareness through running apparel, Janji wants to create a nation of runners that run for another and eliminate the global food and water crisis.http://www.runjanji.com

Social Conscience Sports Balls (Soccer/Basketball/Volleyball)

Social Conscience sells “Fair Trade Sports Balls” which contribute positively to the welfare of families in Pakistan, where over 70% of the world’s soccer balls are stitched. Under the umbrella of Fairtrade International, workers who assemble Fairtrade Certified sports balls are assured a minimum wage and fair employment conditions, as well as funding to invest in social and economic initiatives in their communities. Further, children under the age of 15 are prohibited from working in the factories and stitching centres.http://www.social-conscience.com/Shop.html

Hendrick Boards (Skateboarding)

Hendrick Boards manufactures and sells a line of eco-friendly, handcrafted maple & bamboo skateboard decks and apparel. But these skateboards are more than just good for the planet, they’re good for its furry inhabitants as well. Hendrick Boards gives a financial contribution to animal shelters and rescue programs with the purchase of every product - from 20% to 40% of the purchase price of each item.http://www.hendrickboards.com

Kourage Athletics (Running)

Kourage Athletics creates running apparel that is designed, manufactured, and managed in Kenya by Kenyans. Kourage garments are exported and sold in the developed countries with revenues reinvested into the Kenyan economy. Production for Kourage Athletics is sourced to a Kenyan owned and operated factory in Rift Valley, which is home to the greatest Kenyan runners. Through providing well paying jobs, Kenyan workers and their families are able to afford private school for their children, adequate medical care, and nutritious meals which leads to an increased quality of life. Furthermore, workers are provided with valuable training that improve their lifetime earning potential.http://www.kourageathletics.com

"People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses or the problems of modern society." ~ Vince Lombardi

Spreading the "Give An Assist" message is another great way to encourage your friends, family and teammates to find a way to give back this holiday season. We've created some cool infographics and photographics that you can share on your social media pages. Go ahead and Tweet them on Twitter, Pin them on Pinterest, Link them on Linkedin, Share them on Facebook and let everyone in your circle know that the holidays are a great time to "Give An Assist!"